The R/D-UCL Programme in support of the MYRRHA linear accelerator

The MYRRHA project, currently proposed by the SCK-CEN, aims at demonstrating the feasibility and operability of a safe and efficient transmuter, constituted of a subcritical core fed by an external neutron source obtained by a high power proton accelerator. The outstanding challenge of the MYRRHA accelerator is the design requirement of Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), set at 250 hours. The current research programme is divided into 3 lines of investigation. The second research line, named RFQ-UCL, is devoted to injector engineering design and subsequent construction, including prototyping and feedback to design. The principal motivation of the RFQ-UCL programme is the experimental address of the MYRRHA injector design. The first scope is focused on the 4-rod RFQ. After successful construction of a short test section for thermal behaviour investigation conducted by IAP in the framework of MAX, the full-size 4-rod RFQ prototype is expected to be constructed and installed for beam tests. The initial setup includes a commercial ECR proton source, a dedicated LEBT section, a full-size 4-rod RFQ prototype, a diagnostic section and a beam dump. In a later stage, the RFQ-UCL activity could be extended towards the subsequent higher beam energy structures of the injector. Such an initial injector will evaluate the choice of RFQ itself, and furthermore, this test platform is capable of exploring many other critical issues in the injector design. (authors)